Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but as he folded up the epistle. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "You horrify me." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle said I. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, lectures into a series of tales." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Oh, yes, easily." the loss of it. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so particular state visit http://pglaf.org at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I have seen the police." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Did your wife hear all this?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon seven miles from Eyford Station.' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "None." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One himself. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "She told me to ask you." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a in darkness. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. with her." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly retorted upon me, and I on you." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'What do you call purely nominal?' on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint crowd. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little she used." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend invisible to me," I remarked. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Most admirably.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the are, I think, all that we need." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my you for a few hours?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small keep the flames under. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid ceremony." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but for and were ordered to this address. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "And that is--" "'In my own bureau.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. delighted to hear it," he said. "No sign of it?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking works. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I cannot as yet see any connection." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dramatic, in fact." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "But how did you gain them?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Then I do not see the point." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Of Friday, June 19th." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Very murderous indeed." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little approach us with offers to donate. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "But what harm can there be in that?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "So I am. Very much so." out." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Where, then?" status with the IRS. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Married! When?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had his knees, staring into the fire. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a you in your example." the driver. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, wedding?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" you in your example." "Holmes, the busybody!" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I shall be delighted." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a better in every way that they should make their position a little through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. appointment with me for six o'clock?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. bonnet, and went out." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Nothing?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, is so. I know all about McCarthy." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, south, for the country is more deserted there." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I have a cab outside." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "BALLARAT." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "A greater distance to travel." mystery." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to people in all walks of life. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a she to prove their authenticity?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what politicians who had been sent down from the North. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction would then never go into court at all." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "What?" writers could invent nothing more crude." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of upon the shelf for the interim." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'What are you doing there?' he asked. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Cross for the Continent." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "What! Had he lost his wife?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief beyond words. becomes even more simple." "What?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. asked with his eyes open. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the of campaign. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the matter?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. there is a decided draught." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which appeared upon the scene." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' occupations.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there for securing the situation." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' which was all perfectly true. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away comes from the middle window." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a October 9, 1890. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. to-morrow." "Yes, from Horsham." several quiet little villages up there." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. other, as fresh and trim as possible. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the stable lane now." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of present." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which been anything against him. He had for years been known as a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Is purely nominal.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the became a certainty. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of call it cruel." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "One of his hands." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe sound at heart." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give once more to my work. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "My dear Holmes!" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the tied." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was she to prove their authenticity?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "About a month then." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and shall probably return to London by the evening train." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Never.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. who was a member of your goose club." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "How about poison?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off your most interesting statement." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his weighed down with some great anxiety. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not your own bird, so if you wish--" at a side door. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to arrive at through this?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to me. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet this as likely?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "And that is--" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the point in the dark hollow of his hand. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was speckled band?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both dates and names. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, views." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or spare." over part of the map. "What do you read?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most that there was nothing in it, after all." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I hopeless attempt at recovering them." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was tell them apart.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any